Vindhya’s Daughters and the Demoness Pūtanā
When Kaṁsa heard from Devī that his death would come through the eighth son of Devakī, he ordered Pūtanā to kill all newborn male children and to abduct all newborn girls throughout the land. While carrying out this wicked command, Pūtanā flew across Vindhya Mountain and saw two most beautiful baby girls, radiant with divine light.
Vindhya’s wife had just given birth to these two daughters. During their saṁskāra ceremony, as the brāhmaṇas were chanting Vedic hymns, Pūtanā swooped down from the sky and seized both babies in her arms. The king of Vindhya immediately ordered the brāhmaṇas to chant protective mantras to destroy the demoness. By the power of those mantras, Pūtanā became weak. Unable to hold both children, she dropped one into a river below, which flowed through the kingdom of Vidarbha.
King Bhīṣmaka of Vidarbha found the infant floating upon a lotus leaf and took her home with reverence, raising her as his own daughter. She later became known as Candrāvalī.
Still clutching the other child, Pūtanā tried to fly onward, but her strength failed. Near Vraja, she collapsed to the ground, dropping the second baby. Paurṇamāsī Devī, seeing this miraculous scene, recovered the divine child from Pūtanā’s arms and handed Her to Mukharā, saying:
“This child is the daughter of your son-in-law, Vṛṣabhānu. Take care of Her with great love.”
From that day, the girl was known as Rādhā, the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu. Along with Her, Paurṇamāsī recovered five more girls—Lalitā, Padmā, Bhadrā, Śaibyā, and Śyāmā—who all became Her intimate companions.
Another Version of Rādhā’s Descent
In another narration, Sūrya-deva (Bhānu) performed great austerities to obtain the favor of the Lord of Goloka. He prayed to have the Supreme Goddess of that realm as his daughter. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Viṣṇu instructed him that the Supreme Devī would appear in his family as Śrī Rādhā, the eternal embodiment of hlādinī-śakti—the energy of divine love.
Thus, by the will of the Supreme, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī manifested in Vṛṣabhānu’s home in the village of Rāval, surrounded by auspicious omens, fragrant breezes, and divine music from the heavens.
Reflection
This divine appearance teaches us that love itself descends from the spiritual world to bless the earth. Just as Vṛṣabhānu received the eternal Goddess as his daughter through devotion, we too can receive divine grace when our hearts become humble and pure. Rādhārāṇī does not appear where there is pride or selfishness—She manifests where there is simple, selfless longing to serve.
Let us pray:
“O Rādhā, Queen of Vṛndāvana, please appear within the temple of my heart, which has long been dark with ignorance. Illuminate it with the light of Your devotion and make my life an offering of service to Your beloved Kṛṣṇa.”
